Lazio interested in €15m Brighton defender Coppola

Lazio are monitoring Diego Coppola as they look to bolster their defensive options this summer, with the Brighton-owned centre-back emerging as a potential target for incoming coach Gennaro Gattuso as the club prepares for significant changes at the back.

The departures of Alessio Romagnoli, who is set to move to Qatar, and the uncertainty surrounding Mario Gila have left Lazio with a pressing need for defensive reinforcement.

According to Corriere dello Sport, via LaLazioSiamoNoi, Coppola would cost in the region of €13-15 million, though Brighton’s preference is to send the centre-back out on another loan rather than sell permanently.

The Italy under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Paris FC in Ligue 1, making 13 appearances and impressing sufficiently to attract renewed interest. Gattuso is a known admirer – he included Coppola in the Italy squad for the World Cup play-off matches against Northern Ireland and Bosnia during his time as national team coach.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, issues instructions during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Brighton must first speak with Coppola before any Lazio deal can progress

The key obstacle at this stage is Brighton themselves, who want to assess Coppola’s situation before making any decisions about his future. Coach Fabian Hurzeler was measured on the subject.

“He played a lot and well with Paris FC, that was exactly what we wanted,” he said. “Now we need to understand together what the next step is, what is best for his journey and his improvement. We will speak with Coppola and then we will see.”

Lazio are willing to wait for that conversation to take place before pushing their interest further.